Heading to FL with DH and recent college grad son. Considering this to be our last "family" vacation before he is on his own. Like a combo of the tourist "must-do's" and the local authentic stuff. Son likes night life, so do we as long as night doesn't extend into morning! So, need some help filling in the blanks here.

Day 1: Arrive in Orlando - staying at Sheraton Safari, already booked two rooms on Priceline.
Day 2: Magic Kingdom.
Would it make more sense (time and expense-wise) to take the hotel shuttle or take rental car to parks?

Day 3: Epcot

Day 4: check out and head to Kennedy Space Center for the tour. Drive to Ft. Lauderdale area, check out beaches and night life. Suggestions on where to stay here?

Day 5: Drive to Key West. If time, stop at Everglades National Park. Do we really have time to fit this in and get to KW before 6 or 7 pm?

Day 6-7: Key West. Hotel recs requested. Prefer something cheap enough we can afford 2 rooms (<250/night combined), also something safe but walking distance from night life.

Day 8: Drive back to Miama area. Stay in SOBE area?

Day 9: early flight out of MIA.

Thanks all for your help.

If you search the forum for Magic Kingdom you'll find a lot of suggestions for transportation and using your time effectively on that part of your trip. For me the choice would depend on how frequently and how late the hotel shuttle is available, but not having to drive and park can be a good thing at Disney.

Can you drive from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West with a stop in the Everglades -- yes -- It's less than three hours from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West without a stop. But you will want to plan ahead so you don't lose time figuring out what to do: http://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/index.htm

You did not say when you're going. I think finding two rooms in Key West for less than $250/night may be challenging. Again, try searching the forum for Key West hotels -- this is something that gets discussed often.

In Key West you might look into the Best Western Hibiscus. It's on the quieter side of the island, but the rates are good.

If you are all night life fans, you should include South Beach in your itinerary. Your evening in Fort Lauderdale will the the laid back Las Olas street cafe type scene. While South Beach is one of the happening places anywhere. KW night life won't disappoint either.

Depending on what nights you are in the Disney area, the Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island clubs can be fun.

There are several recent threads with KW hotel info. More detailed than I can provide.

Thanks much for your replies. I think we will switch to the SOBE area rather than Ft. Lauderdale.